Tattoos and Books

Forget a review in the New York Times, apparently the latest in book promotion is the temporary tattoo.

The top one is for The Hobbit, and the bottom for Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey. There have been a lot of other temporary tattoos making their way through the bookstore, mostly for young adult stuff, but clearly the trend has encroached into adult books as well.

***

I have to say, a busy day at the bookstore, highlighted by sweltering heat, impromptu construction, lovely customers, and even lovelier coworkers (not to mention the temporary tattoos...I'm not the only one sporting "Bad Monkey" on my arm), has left me a bit melancholy- a tad low. Bar exam results come out soon. And whether I pass this time around, or the next, I am beginning to accept that I won't/can't be a bookseller forever.

I love a lot of things in life. I love my family and friends, Stephen Colbert, hockey, whales; I love the desert, coffee, and old movies; I love cats; I love a certain band; and for a long, long time, I have had a pretty hot and heavy love affair with books.

Of all the above mentioned, and others left out, I would venture to say that my love of books is what defines me most. I read books, I know about books, I surround myself with books. If you're talking about books, and I chance to overhear it, I will unapologetically and aggressively insert myself into your conversation.

Books are a part of me. I'm good at books. I'm good at reading them, good at recommending them, and good at talking about them. I'm good at shelving and alphabetizing them, and good at displaying them in just the right way. And knowing that one day, in the possibly very-near future, I'll have to leave it all behind- makes me so sad. How do I go about this gracefully? Leaving something I love and something I'm good at- something I know- for something I'm not really sure I'm capable of. It feels like I'm abandoning a part of me- a living, breathing, visceral part of me. How do I do that without collapsing into a hysterical mass of tears and paper cuts? (paper cuts because I will be gripping all the books so tightly, not wanting to let go...get it?)

Stoner by John Williams (not the "composer")

I'm posting a few older reviews that used to be on Goodreads...trying to fill out my virtual bookshelves a little. With a complete lack of humility, I'll tell you that my staff review has made it tough to keep this book in stock at work. I'm even accumulating a bit of a book review following, though a coworker says that they're all "old dudes with mustaches."  She's not wrong, which does seem a bit odd.  I wonder how many of my mustachioed followers have read any of the Jane Austen I've suggested.  At any rate, here's a brief plot synopsis since my review gives you none...and no, it's not about a pothead.

William Stoner is born at the end of the nineteenth century into a dirt-poor Missouri farming family. Sent to the state university to study agronomy, he instead falls in love with English literature and embraces a scholar’s life, so different from the hardscrabble existence he has known. And yet as the years pass, Stoner encounters a succession of disappointments: marriage into a “proper” family estranges him from his parents; his career is stymied; his wife and daughter turn coldly away from him; a transforming experience of new love ends under threat of scandal. Driven ever deeper within himself, Stoner rediscovers the stoic silence of his forebears and confronts an essential solitude.

John Williams’s luminous and deeply moving novel is a work of quiet perfection. William Stoner emerges from it not only as an archetypal American, but as an unlikely existential hero, standing, like a figure in a painting by Edward Hopper, in stark relief against an unforgiving world.

I should also tell you that this will be my number one read of 2013. I am 100% certain that nothing else will come remotely close. My review below...

***

Give me a moment to dry my eyes. I'm still shedding a tear or two today after finishing this book in the wee hours of this morning. I can't say much beyond what's already been said. So I will describe my experience with it.

About half-way through this book I was exhausted. Partly from turning the pages so quickly, but mostly from the unendurable sadness that is William Stoner's life (though even in my exhaustion, I was entranced). And then I realized that while quiet and melancholy, and with its fair share of villains, Stoner's life isn't sad at all.

It's just life.

And then the book opened up to me, or maybe I opened up to it, and I fell in love. I fell in love with William Stoner and his quiet university life. I fell in love with his sweet-tempered, lifelong friend, and even with his scheming enemies. I fell in love with the succession of events that made up this one man's ordinary life, and I fell in love with the way that life moved me.

I can't really explain what it is about this book. Yes; it's well written, filled with living, breathing characters; and perfectly paced. But it's more than that... and I don't have the talent to impress upon you just how beautiful it is. Read the blurbs, and other more eloquent reviewers. More importantly, read the book.

Would like a bag for that?

I found this while going through my computer, from less pleasant days at the bookstore.  In this rainy season, this one goes out to all my TBP homies.

Would like a bag for that?

Correct Answers:

-Yes.

-Yes, please.

-No, thanks.

-No, thank you.

-I'm fine without one.

Incorrect Answers:
-Yes, it's raining.
-Oh, no! I don't take bags! Have to save the trees!
-That would be nice.(said with snark)
-Yes, I think it's going to start raining soon.
-Yes, I need to go to another store.
-Yes, I don't want you to think I'm stealing it.
-Yes, please...oh, don't you have plastic. Well, then no, I don't want a paper one...it's raining.
-Normally, I would say no, but I have the dog in the car.
-Oh, dear! I forgot my bag. I'm trying so hard to remember to bring my own bags. But I forgot it. So, I guess I should have one.
-Well...is it raining? I can't tell. Well, maybe, just in case it rains.

I ask this question over 100 times a day. I don't care why you do or do not want a bag. I don't care if it's raining, news flash...it's always raining. I don't care where you're going next or if you "normally say, 'no'". All I care about is getting you the bag with as little personal contact as possible. By the end of my shift, I wouldn't care if pigs were flying around outside and the bag was just to protect your book from flying pig feces. I just don't care.

Thoughts on Transition

My first official day of law school is over.  I only had 2 classes, which were filled with lots of first day stuff.  I was the first to get called on in my Legal Writing class.  Luckily the answer I made up seemed close enough to being right that the professor let me off the hook relatively quickly.  After class I came home, tried to do some reading, which boggled my mind...and I took a nap, with my cats, among the various books strewn about the bed.  Books, and cats, and naps.  Happens to be the subtitle of this blog.  Which I initially started as a way to keep friends and family back home informed on the goings on in my life.  But it seems to have evolved, as I think most blogs and lives do, and probably should.

So the cats are the same.  Still Brody and Opal.  Still troublesome.  Still my favorite animals on the planet, and one big reason why I haven't gone insane yet.

Clearly the napping is still happening.  I love naps. I can't help it.  So decadent and fantastic.  Plus some one had some first day of school jitters and didn't get much sleep last night.

And that leaves the books.  Sure, I'll be reading...a lot and even if I have officially deemed bus time, pleasure-reading time, I still feel like I am losing my right arm.

Christy asked me last night if I was nervous, and I said I was, but upon reflection, not because of the first day, but more because today starts a completely new life for me.  No more work.  How strange to not be working.  I've only been working a little over 10 years now, still it feels like forever.  I worked through school, I worked in the summers, I've worked 2 jobs at a time more than I ever want to do again.  But more than getting over not working, I have to get over that I won't be working with books.  I have been employed or volunteering in libraries or bookstores since I was 16...almost half my life.  My AmeriCorps service, and the big reason I'm going back to school, was with a literacy foundation.  I love books, I love readers, I love bookstores.  And I think this is what is weighing me down as I completely change direction.  How do you remain yourself, when something you identify with so completely, is suddenly stripped away?  Even with the cats and the naps...without the books, am I still the same me?

Directorial Finale

For those who haven't seen it, my last video at Third Place Books. And you wondered why I
was sad to leave!

So Long

It seems at last, after years of work (and it has been years), and years of waiting, I am off and running toward that ever-present goal, while not always solidified at least tugging somewhere in the back of my brain, "Erin, this is what you want... this way." I find myself exhilarated by the new changes coming; buzzing with electric, terrified anticipation. But with new beginnings, come endings, and saying goodbye to Third Place Books was very hard for me. At times, I found myself joyful & energized, loved & embraced, and thrilled about new possibilities. But at other moments, there lurked the toxic pull of darker emotions; I felt bereft, broken, mortified, and unsure. Certain never to recover. But new horizons will always emerge, and tonight's outlook appears slightly more cheerful.

-Strengthening friendships both old and new can't help but lift the spirits.
-Physical challenges, while immense and frightening, invigorate me and spur me on.
-An interminable transition period finally comes to a close, and I feel a freedom; an exhalation of a long-held of breath

So, while I may be sad to be moving on and saying goodbye to dear friends and coworkers; and I may be frightened of what next comes 'round the bend; it is these other empowering forces that drive me on, and leave me with a light heart and clear head.

Moonlighting

Just in case you don't know, I spend most of my blogging time over at Third Place Blog nowadays...here is what I think constitutes some of my better work...

We got a new author events podium yesterday...and wouldn't you know it, as soon as it was put together Stuffed Toy Horse King just had to make a speech about it.

That's right people, they pay me for this...and guess who put that podium together? You guessed it! Yours truly. Also guess who initiated the Stuffed Toy Horse King Prank. That's right...they pay me...actual money.

KRAKEN!

My most recent film effort (for those of you not friends with Third Place), I guess this is my directorial debut!
That's Steve releasing the Kraken, Jason with special effects, and Mike as the frightened citizen...I'm camerawoman.

I'm Number 2!

Some of the fantastic goings on at the bookstore. The rap video isn't quite ready, but it will be soon!

My Work Day in 3 Conversations

Me: I just wanted to let you know that I got into law school.
My Boss: Oh, wow! So, this fall?
Me: Yeah.
My Boss: Bummer...congratulations, but bummer.

Me: My cats destroyed a bag of popcorn seeds this weekend. There was popcorn everywhere!
Jon: My God! Your cats need jobs! Clearly they're just bored, they really need to do something with their lives.

Me (singing): "Wilco, Wilco!"...those are the only words I know.
Jason: But this isn't that song.
Me: I'm sorry, do you want me to stop?
Jason: No, I just didn't want you to think you were singing along.

INVASION!

My computer was invaded by an army of Wheedles while I was at lunch today. They say, "Hello Erin. We want you to play with us forever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever." Creepy.

Photo and Wheedles courtesy of Jon Brock

Overheard at Work

A: I just recommended a book from your section.
C: Oh yeah, which one?
A: XXXXXXX by XXXXXXXX.
C: Cool.
A: Yeah, and the guy bought the crap out of it.

Take That Amazon!

The other day I got a call at work. It was a gentleman inquiring about a call he had received from us about a special order. I looked up his info and told him that yes, indeed we had received his special order. He let out a long sigh, and I braced myself for anger, wondering what could possibly be wrong, we had his order and rather promptly at that.

He tells me that when we ordered the book we weren't sure when it would come in and that it might take as long as six weeks. He said go ahead, order it and he would try to find it elsewhere in the meantime.

Well turns out the book shows up two days later, we call him and he calls me. He's already found it...at that big bookstore in his computer. I say, "It's no problem, it's our fault and you're not obligated to buy it." And he says, "You don't understand, bookstores are DYING. I'll be in tonight to pick it up."

Swoon. What a lovely, lovely man.

A (mostly) True Life One Act Play

A workplace environment, two co-workers are talking...

A: Is that a mosquito bite on your cheek?
E: What?
A: That.
E: No it's a zit.
A: *voluminous and violent fake vomiting ensues*
E: *silent pause*
A: What would you do if I really did that?
E: What, vomited when I told you it's a zit?
A: Yeah.
E: I'd punch you in the head and then shove your face in your vomit so you'd drown in a pool of your own sick.
A: Seems fair.

fade to black.

It's Official....

The most depressing book title...ever.

Overheard at Work

"I fixed something and I don't fix anything! Today I used a screwdriver for the first time! I mean I get a rush from changing the lightbulbs"

And then another coworker talked about cleaning her Dyson vacuum, and I told her I hated her a little bit.

Spernit Humum

A few months ago, Jessica and I found a beret in the lost and found that had a strange pin on it. It was the image of a cat with writing around it. Given that it was stamped in silver it seemed not unusual that the writing would be difficult to read. Still, imagine our surprise after typing the phrase into Google and discovering "touch not the cat bot a glove" was actually what it said.

We were redirected to http://www.celticstudio.com/celticstudio/database/clans/MOTTOS.HTM where we found that "touch no the cat bot a glove" means "touch not the cat without a glove" and is the motto of the Macintosh and McPherson clans. Further investigation had us giggling at other fabulous mottos like "victoria non proeda" which is "victory, not booty" and "over fork over" which, oddly, actually translates to "over fork over".

There's also the business minded Sempill Clan with "keep the appointed meeting", the apparently half-rooster Cockburn Clan with, "he rouses up by crowing". And my personal favorite, the Charmicheal and Ian Mhoir Clans who are "always ready", and the Murray clan, that is merely "quite ready".

Take a look and see which clan you belong to. I am clearly of the Kerr Clan..."sero sed serio", "late but in earnest".

This Stinks!

Today the bathroom at work smelled alternately of, Fruity Pebbles, scratch n' sniff stickers, and the inside of my plastic pumpkin that I used to collect candy on Halloween. Altogether, a rather nostalgic day in the toilets.

When Is It Okay to Hang Up On an Employee of a Certain Retail Bookstore Upon Not Receiving the Information You Had Hoped For?

Never.

poli sci section

I shelve the Political Science section at work. And I use that term loosely. I studied poli sci and I don't think there is one book in that section that I read for school. Maybe, some Chomsky, but it was most likely have been an essay in a journal. Most of the books in that section are written by people you would see on The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. In a nutshell, it's popular and mainstream stuff. I sometimes wish we could change the name of it to the Current Affairs Section, or the Pompous A-Holes Tell You What to Think Section. Or maybe the Who Wrote a Book About Politics? Section. There are books by senators, and speech writers and lots of lawyers. Of course there are the pundits and my two personal favorites, books by Ted Nugent and Chuck Norris, and just to tickle my funny bone a bit more, those last two are shelved right next to each other. Yay!

When I shelve that section, and especially when I choose displays or face outs for that section, I try very hard to remain unbaised. I've done displays that were books from the right and left and then middle ground books in betwixt the two. I've done displays with all tv personalities, and displays of new books that I do or do not agree with. I've done an Obama display that had pro and anti Obama books. And I've even done a display of books that were simply all blue, subject matter completely aside.

But the other day as I was shelving, there was a gentleman browsing and when his wife came by and they began to leave he muttered something I couldn't understand, and then she said, "Well, their all liberals here." And he said, "Yeah, they have the Anne Coulter book, but it's hidden away."

There are a few things I don't understand, first being, have you no idea where you live? And second, how can you say that book was hidden when it was in it's place on it's shelf? I had no idea how devious I was being when I shelved the Anne Coulter book with the rest of the c's. And there were even 5 copies of it and it was faced out. I actually intentionally faced it out because I knew people would want it and this way it would be easier to see. And if they had been in a week earlier they would have seen the Anne Coulter book along with the Micheal Medved book (that claims America never committed genocide against the native Americans), and that Obama hating tome, Obamanation; all of them, you guessed it...on display!

So believe what you want, read what you want, but don't you dare tell me that my shelving techniques are biased.